Improvement in corn-planters



' A. W. BRINKERHOFF.

Corri-Pianter.

Patented J mj8, 1861, 1

N. PETERS, PHOTO Lnuomnucn and coverer F.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

A. W. BRINKERHOFF, OF UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN CORN-PLANT ERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 31,072, dated January 8, 1861.

' clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings,formiug part of this specification, in the several figures of which similar characters of reference denote the same part.

Figure l is a top view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line as 00. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a portion ofthe machine, showing the. manner of operating the dropping-cylinders. Fig. 4'is a vertical section on i] 11;], showing dropping-cylinder, hopper, and

The nature of my invention consists in the construction of corn-planterssubstantially as hereinafter to be set forth, the details of construction and operation being as follows:

The frame of the machine consists of a platform, A, upon which the seed-boxes B rest, and with which is connected the shaft 0, carrying the wheels D, npon which the machine is supported. The platform and shaft are made in sections, connected by eyes and rods, as seen ate a, which enables the machine to conform to the surface of the ground, and also admits of one or both of the exterior sections being turned up for the passing of obstacles. Connected with the platform and extending to the rear of the shaft is the drivers seat E. Upon the center section of the platform are two seed-boxes, B, either of which may serve as the seat for the person performing the operation of dropping. Within each of the boxes B is a cylinder, 1), having cells on opposite sides, Fig. 4, which alternately receive and discharge the seed to the tube 0 by reason of the rods d, connected with the cranks e of the cylinders, the operator by grasping the handle f effecting the reciprocation of the rods andthe alternate partial revolution of the aforesaid cylinders. Secured to the under side of the platform is the combined opener This is formed with an upward curved front edge for opening, and in rear thereof expanding wings a, slightly elevated above the opener g, so that the earth entering through openings h, Fig. 3, is by the inward curve of these wings drawn upon the deposited grain, these openers not being designed to support the front of the carriage, which, as before stated, rests upon thewheels. The curved front edge of the opener turns rearward, so as to be received by an eye, 122,011

the lower face of the platform, while a bolt, a, passing through the rear portion of the cov- ,erer and the pendent brace 16', completes the attachment of the combined opener and coverer to the machine, so that it may readily be removed for marking ofi' ground by the use of wheels D alone. The draft is applied directly to the under side of the shaft by means of hounds G, attached thereto and connected with the tongue E, Fig. 2. When in service the platform A rests upon these hounds, whose position relative to the tongue is regulated by screw To, which regulates the depth of plan ting.

The machine is so constructed that the weight of driver and operator in position enables the machine to rest freely upon the shaft and hounds and causes the openers to penetrate to the required depth but in going tov the field, or, when desired, to pass over trash or other obstruction, the operator is not upon the machine, in which case the weight of the driver lifts the front of the machine about the shaft and prevents the opener from touching the ground.

In operation the field is first marked off in one direction and the machine driven across the furrows. The operator, seated on one of the boxes, turns the cylinders, as before described, when the front of the opener reaches a furrow, which'causes the grain to fall at the intersection of the two cross-furrows. The earth passing within the wings, as before described, covers the grain. The roller or wheel in rear, passing over the hill, packs the earth upon the seed, and the planting is finished.

The sectional construction of frame admits of the planter being at will converted into either a two or four row machine, as may be desired, by simply attaching or disconnecting the exterior sections.

Having described my invention and the op eration thereof, I claim- 1. The combination and arrangementof rods d, cranks e, and cylinders 12 with the sectional frame and axle, as set forth, whereby the ex- G, set-screw k, axle O, and frame A, as and terior sections may be turned up and the plantfor the purposes set forth.

in g of the center section continue. In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed 2. The combination of opener and coverer my name before two subscribing witnesses. F with the eye m, brace n, and'bolt k, con- A. W. BBINKERHOFF. structed, arranged, and operating substan- Witnesses: tially as set forth. W. T. WILSON, 3. The arrangement of the'tongue H, hounds R. W. MORRIS. 

